Willtrade, Allure clinch semis seats

WILLTRADE-Sagay Central top Allure DM/Bobcat 109-100, while CSA-B Choi Sportswear defeated UNO-R B 93-76 to advance to the semifinals of Class A of the 13th Tan Kek Pin Memorial Basketball Cup at TTHS Po Hang Gym.

Allure DM bowed out of the tourney, as it could not keep up with Willtrade's offensive firepower in the first three quarters.

After a 1st quarter standoff at 28-all, a balanced offensive contribution from Ernesto Cagayao, Virgilio Dapar, Joemarie Bayhon and Raffy Cañete produced a 36-points 2nd quarter for Sagay Central for a 64-51 advantage at the break.

In the third quarter, Allure DM's Robbie Jalando-on nailed two triples and Leo Bat-og scored 6 points but their output could not derail the momentum of Willtrade, as the lead was extended to 93-74 as Bayhon struck with 10 points and Cagayao scored 8 points.

The Willtrade offense slowed down in the fourth quarter but their efforts in the previous cantos were enough to secure the semis seat, even as Stanley Tizon, who arrived late in the third quarter, led the Bobcat comeback with 9 points while teammates Arnol Laureño and Kurt Goodwin scored 6 points each.

Bayhon exploded for 35 points, backstopped by Dapar with 18 points, Cagayao 17 points, Marlon Talatala 11 points, Tata Javillo 10 points and Cañete 9 points.

Jalando-on sunk 7 triples, finishing with 23 points, Laureño added 19 points, Kurt Goodwin shot 12 points, Ren Ren Lacson made 10 points, Nico Lopingco and Bat-og made 8 points each and Ritche Militante had 7 points.

In the other quarterfinals encounter, Choi Sportwear relied on their experience and height and heft advantage to dominate UNO-R B to secure the semis slot.

Peewee Demonteverde spearheaded the CSA-B offense with 22 points, Alfred Valle, John Garin, Tommy Andren and Jornel Laborte picked up 9 points apiece, Urminico Baronda scored 11 points while Richard Verayo, Ruel Balgos and Patrick Sagario contributed 6 points each.

Fred Jay Parreño scored 5 triples in the 4th quarter to lead UNO-R with 16 points, Ramon De La Torre delivered 13 points, Mark Papa made 6 points, John Gil Aposaga and Raymar Oblido shot 7 points apiece and Herman Abrot chipped in 6 points.

In the semifinals, UNO-R A Davies Philippines, which enjoys a twice-to beat advantage, is playing Willtrade Sagay Central as of Sunday, while USLS President's Gym is slugging it out with CSA-B Choi Sportswear.

The winners will advance to the finals next week to be played at the West Negros University Gymnasium.

In Class B encounter last Friday, Johann Kendrick Tan (4-3) secured a quarterfinals slot by defeating top-seed Foodman (5-2) 90-83.

RB Chua and Yan Yan Dy scored all the 20 points in the 4th quarter to pull away from a 70-68 advantage in the 3rd quarter.

Chua and Dy led JKT with 32 points and 31 points, respectively while Ryan Alegario added 22 points.

Foodman was paced by Dr. Emil Guanzon and Arvin Chua with 26 points apiece, Popoy Chua picked up 14 points and Peter Galon scored 11 points.

In the other game, Mang Inasal (5-2) routed an undermanned La Filipina Trading (3-4) 95-62.

Mark Binguan finished with 21 points to lead Inasal, Shinley Uy added 19 points, Biboy Yap scored 17 points, Jolly Castillo shot 11 points and Dandan Ong hit 10 points.

Uy had a game-high 23 points in a losing effort, Carl John Doblar scored 11 points, while Jan Jan Young and Chief Inspector Adonis Rosales delivered 8 points each. (Stephen Tan, Contributor)